When selecting a fabric for your project, do you take the type of material into consideration? Knowing whether the fabric is cotton, polyester or acrylic can tell you a lot about how the fabric will perform. In order to help you pick the best material for the job, we’re going to feature six common fabric fibers and take a look at the pros and cons, variations, and source of each. Kicking off our series is acrylic, the fiber behind most Sunbrella brand fabrics.

Acrylic is a synthetic man-made fabric that was originally developed to be an alternative to wool. Today it’s a widely popular fabric for its durability and ease of care. Acrylic is used in apparel, upholstery, rugs, awnings, boat and vehicle covers, luggage, blankets, and stuffed animals.